Title 43, Public LandsRelease 119-110
§737 Unrestricted Deeds for Townsite Lands Held by Alaska Natives
Title 43 › CHAPTER 17 — RESERVATION AND SALE OF TOWN SITES ON PUBLIC LANDS › § 737
Summary
For townsites patented under sections 732 or 735, an Alaska native who claims, occupies, and requests an unrestricted deed may receive it if the Secretary finds them competent. After the deed, sale, mortgage, and tax restrictions end, but only federal debts made before the deed can be enforced against the land.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §737
Public Lands, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The trustee or trustees to whom a patent has been issued for a townsite surveyed pursuant to section 732 or 735 of this title, upon a finding by the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative that any Alaska native who claims and occupies a tract of land within such townsite is competent to manage his own affairs and has petitioned the Secretary or his authorized representative for an unrestricted deed, or shall issue to such native an unrestricted deed, and thereafter all restrictions as to sale, encumbrance, or taxation of said lands shall be removed, but said land shall not be liable to the satisfaction of any debt, except obligations owed the Federal Government, contracted prior to the issuing of such deed.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 732 and 735 of this title, referred to in text, were repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 703(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2789. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 355e of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 737
Title 43, Public Lands
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110